Gracia commends nine-man Al Sadd after Nasaf draw

Sat, 09 Apr, 2022

Gracia commends nine-man Al Sadd after Nasaf draw

Dammam: Head coach Javi Gracia expressed his pride in his side’s performance as nine-man Al Sadd held out for a 1-1 draw against FC Nasaf in their opening match of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group E on Friday.

The Qatari champions found themselves a goal and a man down half an hour into the game after Abdelkarim Hassan received a direct red card, having brought down Shahzod Akramov when he was through on goal. Nasaf took immediate advantage, opening the scoring through a Pedro Miguel own goal.

Al Sadd battled to equalise through Boualem Khoukhi’s header early in the second half, but Miguel’s night went from bad to worse as he followed in the footsteps of his fellow full-back Hassan, heading for an early bath after a second bookable offence, leaving Gracia’s side struggling with nine men.

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Diaz: Positive mindset reason for Al Hilal’s victory over Sharjah

Sat, 09 Apr, 2022

Diaz: Positive mindset reason for Al Hilal’s victory over Sharjah

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC’s Ramon Diaz was full of praise for his players after the defending champions defeated UAE's Sharjah 2-1 in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group A opener on Friday.

Sharjah’s Otabek Shukurov cancelled out Saleh Al Shehri’s spot-kick but the Saudi Arabia side rallied to score the winner in the second half courtesy of Brazilian Michael, sending a near-capacity crowd at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium into raptures.

Composure secured Al Rayyan’s triumph over Istiklol, says Cordova

Sat, 09 Apr, 2022

Composure secured Al Rayyan’s triumph over Istiklol, says Cordova

Riyadh: Head coach Nicolas Cordova said Al Rayyan’s calmness under pressure propelled the Qatari side to beat FC Istiklol 3-2 in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group A fixture on Friday. 

Al Rayyan fell behind early in the contest when Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov put Istiklol in front. However, Yacine Brahimi pulled one back before a Yohan Boli double steered the Qatar Stars League side to three points. 

Air Force Club delight Hakeem Shakir, Keizer laments lack of luck

Sat, 09 Apr, 2022

Air Force Club delight Hakeem Shakir, Keizer laments lack of luck

Riyadh: Hakeem Shakir Al Azzawi was full of praise for his players after Air Force Club defeated UAE’s Al Jazira 2-1 in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group B opener at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on Friday.

It was the Iraqi side’s first AFC Champions League victory in 14 years, having last collected three points in their 2-1 win over Al Kuwait in the 2008 edition.

Sumudica wants more from Al Shabab despite win against Mumbai City

Sat, 09 Apr, 2022

Sumudica wants more from Al Shabab despite win against Mumbai City

Riyadh: Al Shabab FC head coach Marius Sumudica has urged his side to be more clinical in front of goal following their 3-0 win over India’s Mumbai City in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 tie on Friday.

It was all Al Shabab from start to finish at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium with Ever Banega scoring in either half before Turki Al Ammar sealed the victory for the Saudi Arabian side.